Vic: Dalai Lama addresses Victorian parliament, but no premier

AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-2009
Vic: Dalai Lama addresses Victorian parliament, but no premier

MELBOURNE, Dec 9 AAP - The Dalai Lama has addressed Victorian politicians at a reception
at parliament house, but the premier was noticeably absent.

The Tibetan spiritual leader spoke to more than 100 people on Wednesday in a private
address organised by the informal group, Victorian MPs for Tibet.

In a speech that lasted more than 30 minutes, the Dalai Lama promoted peace, harmony
and secularism and urged Australian MPs to visit Tibet to test Chinese claims about Buddhist
practices.

It was the Tibetan leader's only address at an Australian parliament during this visit.

He spoke in a committee room and did not address the chamber.

Afterwards he was introduced to Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu, saying he always sides
with the "minority", to which Mr Baillieu replied: "We are the strongest but we are the
minority"

Premier John Brumby was a noticeable absence and joins Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in
declining to meet with the Dalai Lama.

The Dalai later told the media he was not fazed.

"No, no. No concern," he said.

"My visit (is) non political."

AAP cmb/gfr/goc/maur/

KEYWORD: DALAI (PIX AVAILABLE)

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